Cleon III

Cleon III: In the dynastic crisis caused by the
death of Martin II without direct issue,
Cleon Zhunastu, great-great-great-grandson of Cleon
II by direct first issue, appeared to be the most legitimate claimant
to the throne. Born in 201, proclaimed emperor by the Moot
in 244, assassinated in 245. Known also as Cleon the Mad, it appears that
while his claim to the throne was flawless, he was not. His behavior in
office (he resolved disagreements within his cabinet by shooting vocal
opponents) soon convinced surviving members of the government that he was
a homicidal maniac, and a decision to dispose of him was made and implemented
in short order. The decision to depose a ruling emperor was not made lightly,
but was agreed upon not only by those nobles closest to the emperor himself,
but also by a secret meeting of the Moot, which ordered Cleon's assassination.
Porfiria was chosen by lot as Cleon's heir,
and succession was accomplished by the right
of assassination. -emp IE